Under The Island review: a cozy Zelda-style adventure | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIPolicyHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersArchivesStoreVerge Product UpdatesSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.A classic Zelda-style adventure, but a lot more cozyComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...GamingCloseGamingPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GamingEntertainmentCloseEntertainmentPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All EntertainmentGames ReviewCloseGames ReviewPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Games ReviewA classic Zelda-style adventure, but a lot more cozyUnder The Island is a little bit Link to the Past, a little bit Stardew Valley.Under The Island is a little bit Link to the Past, a little bit Stardew Valley.by Andrew WebsterCloseAndrew WebsterSenior entertainment editorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew WebsterMar 28, 2026, 1:00 PM UTCLinkShareGiftImage: Slime King GamesPart OfThe best indie games we’re playing right nowsee all updates Andrew WebsterCloseAndrew WebsterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew Webster is an entertainment editor covering streaming, virtual worlds, and every single Pokémon video game. Andrew joined The Verge in 2012, writing over 4,000 stories.The Legend of Zelda games are grand adventures, but they can also be very comforting, with quaint villages to explore and warm landscapes to take in. Under The Island takes that idea a step further. It still offers the sense of exploration and puzzle-solving that makes Zelda games so satisfying, but it also takes place in a cozy, lighthearted world with an energy reminiscent of Stardew Valley. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to hang around in even when you aren’t slaying monsters.The game puts you in the role of Nia, a new resident on the seemingly normal Seashell Island. But soon it becomes clear things are much stranger than they appear as Nia is pulled into saving the island from sinking into the ocean. In the grand tradition of Zelda, this involves traveling around the island to collect important objects, and while Seashell may be a relatively small island, there’s a lot going on; forests and beaches filled with monsters, dungeon-like buildings with plenty of puzzles to solve, and townsfolk who always seem to be in need of a hand.RelatedA bite-sized adventure that puts a wrench into the classic Zelda formulaUnder The Island plays a lot like the 16-bit era Zelda games — think A Link to the Past — which means it’s a 2D action-adventure game with lots of puzzle solving. Instead of wielding a sword like Link, Nia has a hockey stick, but it works much the same. You can use it to bash enemies, hit switches, and cut grass in hopes of finding cash or health. Over the course of the game you’ll unlock new weapons and abilities that further open up the game in a literal sense. Bombs will reveal hidden rooms, while a fire-spewing flower can ignite vegetation that’s in your way. The gameplay is a mix of action and puzzle solving, as you have to not only defeat enemies but figure out how to use your various items and abilities to get around the island.From this familiar core Under The Island does some interesting things. Most notable are its very creative boss battles. I don’t want to spoil too much, because the surprise is part of the fun, but as an example, the first such encounter doesn’t have you facing off against some gigantic monster; instead, you’re helping monsters put on a concert. You have to sort out the lighting, fight off legions of fans, fix an elevator, and more to ensure things go smoothly. It sounds weird, but it uses the same mechanics as an elaborate boss fight would, only in a completely unique context. And it shows how Under The Island is more than just another Zelda-alike.The other notable thing about the game is just how chill it is. Sure, you’re saving the world, but that doesn’t mean the vibes need to be off. It’s the tone that reminds me of Stardew or even EarthBound: a little bit silly, very playful, and a nice mixture of the real-world and the supernatural. This is expressed in pretty much every aspect of the game. The enemies include walking onions that wield leeks as weapons and squirrels that throw explosive pinecones, and you can refill your health by slurping ramen, which you can buy from a restaurant on a hot-air balloon. This is also a game where I would recommend talking to everyone and not skipping through the dialogue, because there’s some very funny writing. At one point I met a band of skeletons who were singing Billy Joel.There are obviously plenty of Zelda-style indie games out there, but few manage to balance nostalgia and inventiveness the way Under The Island does. Even fewer manage to do it while being so damn charming.Under The Island is out now on PC, Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Andrew WebsterCloseAndrew WebsterSenior entertainment editorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew WebsterEntertainmentCloseEntertainmentPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All EntertainmentGames ReviewCloseGames ReviewPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Games ReviewGamingCloseGamingPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GamingMore in: The best indie games we’re playing right nowOeuf is a punishing platformer in a cozy shellGeoffrey BuntingMar 21Time to get cracking (some codes).Andrew WebsterMar 175 great indie games from GDC 2026Jay PetersMar 14Most PopularMost PopularSony is raising PS5 prices by $100 in AprilReturning from a humanitarian aid trip to Cuba, Americans have phones seized at US airportRank the 50 best Apple productsMeta gets ready to launch two new Ray-Ban AI glassesAnker’s 160W Prime Charger can power three devices at once, and it’s $50 offThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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Under The Island presents a unique blend of familiar and innovative elements, drawing heavily from the iconic Zelda formula while injecting a distinct “cozy” atmosphere reminiscent of Stardew Valley. Senior entertainment editor Andrew Webster describes the game as a harmonious combination of A Link to the Past’s action-adventure gameplay with Stardew Valley’s approachable and lighthearted tone. The core gameplay loop revolves around Nia, a new resident of the Seashell Island, tasked with preventing the island’s submersion into the ocean. This necessitates exploration of varied environments – encompassing forests, beaches, and dungeon-like buildings – to collect essential objects and solve puzzles, mirroring the established Zelda tradition. However, Webster highlights the significant deviation in control, as Nia primarily utilizes a hockey stick instead of a traditional sword, offering a novel approach to combat and interaction.

The game’s creativity extends beyond the mechanics. Notably, the boss battles are described as exceptionally inventive and surprising, shifting away from conventional monster encounters. A specific initial encounter is detailed as a concert management scenario, forcing the player to address challenges such as lighting, fan control, and elevator maintenance – a stark departure from typical Zelda boss confrontations. This creative approach underscores Under The Island’s ambition to transcend mere imitation. Beyond the engaging combat and puzzles, the game’s defining characteristic is its overall “chill” vibe. This tranquility is interwoven into various aspects of the experience, drawing parallels to titles such as Stardew Valley and EarthBound – characterized by a blend of whimsy, playfulness, and a touch of the fantastical. This tone is further reinforced through diverse elements, including whimsical enemies like walking onions wielding leeks and explosive pinecone-throwing squirrels. Gameplay incorporates comforting routines, such as slurping ramen to regain health, purchased from a hot-air balloon restaurant, and engaging in surprisingly engaging dialogue with quirky characters, including a group of singing skeletons performing Billy Joel songs. The game’s narrative emphasizes the importance of communication and exploration, rewarding players who delve into surrounding conversations.

Webster emphasizes Under The Island’s position as a standout among numerous Zelda-influenced indie games, praising its adept balance between nostalgia and innovation. It distinguishes itself through its captivating charm and unique presentation. The game is currently available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox, offering a relatively accessible adventure for a wide audience.